UGA Extension agents, staff and trained volunteers keep local communities informed through county Extension offices. We offer reliable information and programs in the areas of agriculture, food, families, the environment, and 4-H youth development. Let us help you learn, grow, and do more!

Our Impact

Making A Difference in Our County

We're working hard for the citizens we serve. Here are some examples of successful projects from the past year:

FOOD SECURITY

Fulton Extension is offering intense programming to mitigate food insecurity with two special, grant-funded programs. Through Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed), 537 residents received 1,790 hours of nutrition education. Seventy-five percent of the participants were overweight or obese, and 49 percent earned an income at 185 percent or below federal poverty limits. After participating in one of the SNAP-Ed programs, a participant from the Bowden Center said, “I tried tasty foods that were low in calories and sugar. This will enable me to prepare healthier meals for my family.”Another 655 residents, who collectively reported 2,411 dependent family members, were reached through our Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). Fulton County EFNEP educators delivered 3,045 program hours and leveraged over $3,700 in volunteered hours. Forty-two percent of food-insecure participants reported being less likely to run out of food before month's end.

MARKETS AND COMMUNITY GARDENS

With more than 18 farmers markets, hundreds of community gardens and local, small food businesses, there is a demand for education about food safety and locally grown produce. Agriculture and Natural Resources and Family and Consumer Sciences agents taught three sessions of "Enhancing the Safety of Locally Grown Produce in the Farm and the Garden" throughout the county. Participants learned about using water, managing soil and preparing produce safely to sell at a market. One farmer said, “This is one of the best (Fulton County Extension) presentations I’ve been to yet.”

FITNESS AND FINANCES

In an effort to promote fitness among county residents, agents started a Walk Georgia campaign targeting county employees, local doctor’s offices and church leaders. Hundreds of coaching and educational emails were sent weekly. The campaign focused on physical fitness and also included educational classes on chronic disease management, cancer prevention and high blood pressure.Agents provided free financial literacy programming for people of all ages throughout the county. Classes covered a variety of topics, including a class for middle schoolers called "Your Money: Your Future" in Johns Creek, an adult class about strengthening credit at Dogwood Library, and a widely popular estate planning class that covered wills, trusts and power of attorney. After attending the estate planning class, 80 percent of participants stated that they now plan to create a will. Financial literacy classes have benefited kindergarten-aged children and senior citizens alike.

FAMILIES AND YOUTH

What started as 4-H alumni seeking programming for their children has grown into one of UGA Extension’s first public-private partnerships to fund an Extension agent. Fulton County’s fifth Extension office was established at the Atlanta History Center as a local office for residents in and around Buckhead. The partnership with the Atlanta History Center formally began in October 2016. One of two full-time 4-H agents leads the 35-member community club that promotes community service, teamwork, leadership and environmental awareness. Club participation has led to the development of two Fulton judging teams (poultry and forestry) for the first time in over 15 years. Atlanta History Center has committed thousands of dollars of in-kind support through office space and access to meeting rooms and event space.University of Georgia Cooperative Extension is working hard for its constituents. The following are examples of our impact in the county over the past year.

What is Extension?
UGA Cooperative Extension is a collaboration between Georgia county governments, the USDA, and
the University of Georgia's colleges of
Agricultural & Environmental Sciences and
Family & Consumer Sciences.
The mission of UGA Cooperative Extension is to extend lifelong learning to the
people of Georgia through unbiased, research-based education in agriculture,
the environment, communities, youth and families.